The school founded in a Kenyan slum by a retired Kokomo teacher has not been touched by violence that has swept the African nation since the Dec. 27 elections.
The Associated Press reported that more than 500 people have died in protests and ethnic violence since the elections and ensuing vote tally that foreign observers say was rigged. Another 255,000 Kenyans have been driven from their homes by the violence in the east African country, which has been known as one of the most stable in the region.
The election returned President Mwai Kibaki to power for another five-year term.
Jan Hinkle, who founded Bright Star School in November 2003, said her school is in a different slum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capitol, than the slum where the violence has taken place.
She spoke to the Rev. John Andirah, the Kenyan pastor who leads her school, last Friday, and “we’re all safe and sound ... He says things are at peace now.”
Hinkle said food costs have skyrocketed, because truckers are afraid to be on the road. Those who are working are charging much higher prices.
For example, she said, potatoes have gone up from 150 shillings to 550 shillings. In American dollars, that represents an increase from about $2.50 to $9.15.
Despite the increased costs, “our children at Bright Star do have food,” she said.
The pastor has hired a second night watchman and the electricity and water is back on.
According to the AP, economic inequality has been a major factor in the unrest, in addition to the election. Many of the poorest Kenyans supported Kibaki’s opponent, Raila Odinga.
“These unemployed young men are hungry and desperate. This gives them a great reason to loot. Not all the violence is at the government because of the election,” she said.
Hinkle said she did not hear from the pastor for three days after the violence began. She usually receives regular e-mail bulletins, but the government shut down e-mail.
One of her friends finally called his cell phone to see how the school had fared, and then he called her Friday.
Hinkle said protests are not unusual in Nairobi, and she once had to run from police shooting tear gas into a crowd during a political revolt. What has been unusual this time is the level of violence, including the burning of a church that killed at least 50 people.
Despite the recent violence, Hinkle plans to return to her school in March, taking a group of volunteers from Indiana. Another group, including volunteers from two Kokomo churches, will go in May, and she’ll take another group that includes nurses and teachers in June.
Hinkle said she’s not worried, because the violence is not aimed at tourists, just members of the tribes involved in the protests. She does not believe any of those involved want to hurt children.
“I know God is a merciful God. You have to have faith when you’re 8,000 miles away that God is going to protect them,” she said. “They might try to steal from the school, and that’s happened before, but they aren’t going to hurt children. If anyone were to hurt a child at Bright Star, I’m sure the residents of the slum would come to their defense. It’s not like the kids are out there on their own.”
Local News
Related Photos
Related Links
Discussion
Kenyan school escapes violence
School founded by Kokomo native remains safe.
- Local News
-
-
Students kick off Black History Month at IU Kokomo
“Hey, black child, be what you can be. Learn what you can learn. Do what you can do. And tomorrow, your nation will be what you want it to be.”
-
Council taking heat for proposal
The Miami County Council on Thursday got to hear from county employees who are disgruntled about proposed budget cuts that would reduce the county general fund by nearly $900,000.
-
County looks at health care options
With the city of Kokomo ending its relationship with Novia Health Care, Howard County officials are now discussing what move they will make.
-
KHS to implement new technology program
Starting next school year, the more than 500 freshmen enrolled at Kokomo High School will receive either a laptop computer or tablet device as part of a new technology program that school officials say will improve learning in the classroom.
-
Measles patient was at NFL event
East Coast fans who left the Super Bowl host city feeling good about Hoosier hospitality may have been exposed to something less welcome: The measles.
-
Outreach provides housing to the down-and-out
Dale Bliss tells the story of a man with no money, no job and two kids.
Without any way to pay for a hotel or rent an apartment, the man was living in a tent with his children at a reservoir near Kokomo. He told them it was a family camping trip.
-
Green tech lab opens in Kokomo
A California green technology company has opened a research and development lab in Kokomo and plans to hire as many as 35 people over the next few years, the business announced this week.
-
Main Street conference coming to Kokomo
Following up on its Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Community of the Year award, Kokomo received another accolade this week.
-
Howard Co. jail reconfiguration a ‘short-term solution’
With the ever-increasing number of female prisoners at the Howard County jail, local officials are looking to implement a short-term solution instead of expanding the existing facility.
-
Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions
A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
